It's easy to get that rustic, aged look of wood with a few simple steps and common household materials. When this process applied to a new piece of wood, it can help match the new piece, to a naturally aged blank or create your own style. To get started, you will need just three household ingredients: distilled white vinegar, grade #0000 steel wool and tea.

1. Pull apart the steel wool and fully submerge in a container of vinegar for at least 12 hours or until the steel wool disintegrates. Strain out any loose pieces of steel wool using cheesecloth or a paper filter. When steel wool is combined with an acidic acid (vinegar) it causes the steel to oxidize (rust), making iron acetate. Safety note: Making iron acetate produces hydrogen gas. Do not seal containers and keep in a ventilated area.
2. Steep tea for at least 1 hour and brush steeped tea onto bare wood to saturated it. Let the wood dry completely.
3. Brush your vinegar & steel wool solution (the iron acetate) into tea-saturated wood.

Why does it work?

Tea contains tannin, a bitter astringent that occurs naturally in many plants and organics such as wood. Brushing wood with tea adds more tannin, allowing the vinegar/steel solution to have a stronger reaction. The iron acetate reacts with the tannins and turns the wood a dark color. Different woods have various levels of natural tannin content so results will vary by wood species. (See our photos below for some of our experiments.)

You will notice that whenever wood comes in contact with water, the wood fibers swell and the wood will feel rough after it has dried. This is called raised grain. To keep a smooth surface you will need to sand the surface again very lightly using dull sandpaper, just enough to remove the raised grain but not exposing new wood. Always sand in the direction of the grain. Don't use steel wool to remove the raised grain as small pieces of the wool will break off and lodge in the wood pores, which will then rust and spot the wood when you apply the stain or finish.

We recommend experimenting with a sample piece of wood. Try multiple coats and different teas until you get the look you want. There are many tricks and recipes for achieving different finishes. Consult your local Windsor Plywood for some of the latest products and finishes to get the look you want.

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How to Age Wood Using Vinegar, Steel Wool and Tea

Simple steps for a classic, weathered look

It’s easy to get a rustic, aged look on wood with simple steps and common household materials. When this process is applied to a new board, it helps match the new piece to naturally aged stock or lets you create your own style. You need distilled white vinegar, grade #0000 steel wool, and strong tea.

Steps

1. Pull apart the steel wool and fully submerge it in vinegar for at least 12 hours, or until the pad breaks down. Strain out loose fibers with cheesecloth or a paper filter. The steel oxidizes in acetic acid and creates iron acetate. Safety note: hydrogen gas forms during this process. Do not seal the container. Work in a ventilated area.
2. Steep tea for at least 1 hour. Brush tea onto bare wood until saturated. Let the surface dry.
3. Brush the iron acetate onto the tea-treated wood in thin, even coats. Let color develop and dry.

Tip: knock back raised grain with a light pass of dull 220–320 grit after drying. Sand with the grain. Avoid steel wool to prevent rust specks in pores.

Why this works

Tea adds tannins to the surface. Iron acetate reacts with tannins and darkens the wood. Species with higher natural tannin content shift darker than low-tannin species. Test on scrap and record your mix.

Fir swatches side by side

Upload order left to right for a clean comparison row.

Safety

• Keep the vinegar and steel wool container unsealed in a ventilated space.
• Wear gloves and eye protection.
• Label the jar and keep away from heat and sparks.
• Dispose of steel wool fragments and used rags per local guidelines.

FAQ

Which woods take this treatment best

Oaks and walnut shift darker because they have higher tannin content. Maple, birch, and pine shift lighter. Test a scrap of the same species you plan to finish.

Do I need a pre-stain conditioner

No. The tea and iron acetate cycle replaces traditional stain. Keep coats thin and even. Let each coat dry before the next step.

How do I avoid streaks

Work fast with light coats. Maintain a wet edge. Strain the solution to remove fibers. If tone is uneven, apply a fresh tea pass, let dry, then apply another thin coat of iron acetate.

What topcoat should I use

Choose based on use. Interior furniture: wiping varnish or waterborne polyurethane. High-wear surfaces: floor-rated waterborne poly. Exterior: an exterior oil or a UV-resistant clear per label.

Why does the surface feel rough after drying

Water raises grain. Knock it back with a light pass of dull 220–320 grit. Do not expose fresh wood. Avoid steel wool.